Six Words Fridays: rain

I love the gentle pitter patter 

sound of rain drops as it 

falls from the heavens. So refreshing!

rain

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

Every Thanksgiving evening, after dinner has settled, we eat pie. Lots of pie! Banana Cream, Lemon Meringue, Chocolate, Coconut Cream, Apple, Cherry, and our traditional Sugar Pie. And our fairly recent new comber... Turtle Pumpkin Pie.

I've never been a Pumpkin Pie fan until I made Turtle Pumpkin Pie. And now it's become my absolute favorite! It's light and fluffy with just the right amount of pumpkin and spice. It's tantalizing to the taste buds. It's divinely delicious. And, it's as easy as pie to make! 

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. caramel ice cream topping, divided

1 Graham Cracker pie crust

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. pecan pieces, divided

1 cup cold milk

2 pkg (3.4 oz. ea.) vanilla instant pudding

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tub (8 oz.) whipped topping, thawed, divided

Directions:

1. Pour 1/4 cup caramel topping into crust; sprinkle with 1/2 cup nuts.

2. Beat milk, dry pudding mixes, pumpkin and spices with whisk 2 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups whipped topping. Spread into crust.

3. Refrigerate 1 hour. Top with remaining whipped topping, caramel topping and nuts just before serving.

Go to Sugar Pie for tradition, memories, and recipe.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you making for Thanksgiving?

Writing prompt #2: Share a Thanksgiving recipe you will be cooking up this month.

Hosted by

Mama Kats Pretty Much Famous Writer's Workshop

Sugar Pie

The year 2011, most of the kids came up for Thanksgiving. We had a scrumptious and plentiful dinner, which included all our favorites and traditional dishes. Like turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, brown glazed carrots, stuffing and cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, apples and yams, cheese stuffed celery and olives, and bread and butter pickles. 

And then we made pie... lots of pie! Chocolate, Banana Cream, Pumpkin Turtle, Cherry, Apple (with fancy lattice strips), and mom's Sugar Pie! What a  special treat! 

Who can not remember those fond memories of home as kids when we anxiously awaited for mom's Sugar Pie. I remember mom rolling out the left over pie crust, with help from us kids. Then we would sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over top and slide the pie pan in the oven. I remember peering through the glass window of the range, watching and waiting... waiting and watching. I could hardly wait for Sugar Pie to come out of the oven. As soon as it was cooled enough, we each got to break a piece off to eat. Sugar Pie was such a treat because we got to eat it even before Thanksgiving dinner began.

Mom's Sugar Pie will be on the menu again this year!

How about you? What are you fixing for Thanksgiving this year?

Happy Birthday mother! I love and miss you so much.

Domestic Violence Myths

Ap·a·thy - lack of interest or concern. 

Apathy is as destructive as ignoring the harmful, life-changing and ill effects of domestic violence. It is a personal and public health issue effecting individuals, families, communities, and country. I am sad that it happened in our family. I am sad that I no longer have my daughter, Shaniel, to share life with. I am sad that domestic violence is now part of my life, my family's life.

I promise to share what I have learned through this tragedy to help prevent it from happening to someone else. I promise to do my part to help educate and bring awareness to this sickness that is creeping into our homes and sweeping the country. I promise to help those who feel alone and isolated in their situations. I promise to share a message of hope and deliverance.

A week before Shaniel was killed, she called me. She was crying. She needed a hug. She felt so alone. Oh.. how I wanted to reach my arms through the phone and give her a hug. I panicked that I could not race down the street and sweep her up in my arms and sooth her aching and broken heart. I cried with her. I listened to her sobs. I told her I loved her. Oh, how I loved her. She was ready to leave her husband. He never let her. Maybe we could not have changed the tide of her tragic death, but we could have been more aware of the signs, more educated, and had a list of ready resources available to help during this critical time of decision.

Please, read the article on Domestic Violence Myths. I posted it on ShanielsStory.Blogspot.com. (link in page bar above) Or you can link to the article below.

http://www.oregonlive.com/…/heartsick_elias-case_judge_tak.….

NO MORE APATHY!

In loving memory

Shaniel Kaye Oliver Donaldson

1980-2013

Six Word Friday's: Smooth as Glass

Reflection pools are some of my favorite 

places to sit. Especially when they

are as "smooth as glass." Time 

disappears as I drift off into 

the reflection. I see Mirror images
of things. I see another reflection.

A reflection of me. Thoughts emerge
about my life... where I've been, 
where I'm at, where I'm going.

Peace, tranquility, and gratitude fill my 

mind as I reflect upon blessings.
Blessings of Family. Health. Shelter. Food. 
Faith. Love. My heart is thankful!

glass

Thankful Notes

Writing thankful notes for Thanksgiving has become a treasured tradition at our house.

Before the kids arrive, I place slips of paper and pens out for them to write down things they are thankful for or blessings that have come into their lives that they want to share with the family.

Later in the evening, after Thanksgiving dinner has settled, we all gather around the kitchen table, eat pie, and share our thankful notes with each other. The youngest grandchild to the oldest adult participates. All twenty eight of us! This tradition has brought our family closer together. It provides the perfect setting for each of us to reflect on the past year and the opportunity to count our blessings! 

In each family member's thankful note, FAMILY is always the first thing on the list. Love and appreciation for one another are common themes running through the notes. 

Is it any wonder that Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings and giving thanks for our bounteous blessings and harvest! Creating memories and traditions binds families together across all generations. 

Writing prompt #5: Write a post in just 12 lines.

Hosted by

Mama Kat's Pretty Much Famous Writer's Workshop

Quotography: November

The first day of November brought cold temperatures, howling wind, and pounding rain. It was a good day to snuggle up in a blanket, read a good book, and drink hot chocolate! 

Our beautiful, warm Autumn days have come to an end.